**The NESA Center is currently accepting applications for Summer ’25 internships. The Summer Internship Term will run from Monday June 2nd into August. The deadline for Summer ’25 internship applications is Friday April 28th 2025. NESA is also accepting applications for students wishing to intern for their Spring Quarter (mid April – mid June), as well as those wishing to intern for just the month of May. Please indicate your availability in your cover letter.**
To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and writing sample (1-3 pages) to Mr. Sam Marrero at Samuel.Marrero@ndu.edu. The NESA Center reviews internship applications on a rolling basis, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply early. NESA internships are full-time and unpaid.
Note: To be considered, applicants must reside in the Washington DC area for the duration of the term for which they’re applying. Geographically remote internships will not be considered.
NESA Interns Spring 2025
Abigail Smart is a junior at the University of New Hampshire, pursuing degrees in International Affairs and Political Science with a concentration in International Security. She focuses on governance and state-building, human development, and inter-ethnic relations in the Near East and South Asia. Abigail has completed a year abroad in Paris, competes with her university’s Model United Nations team, and plays rugby in her free time. Abby is enthusiastic about contributing to NESA’s work, deepening her understanding of U.S. foreign policy in the region, and supporting faculty through ongoing programs and research.
Shahd Sharaf is an undergraduate at American University pursuing a degree in International Relations with a double major also in Middle Eastern Studies. She is particularly interested in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and aims to deepen her understanding of U.S. security policy in the region. In Fall 2024, Shahd studied abroad at SOAS University of London, where she focused on Critical Security Studies and Development and Conflict courses. Her time abroad provided valuable insights into global security issues. She is excited to support NESA Center Faculty in the spring semester.
Raiden Miyamoto is a junior at DePauw University pursuing a degree in Political Science. Raiden is also a Rector Scholar at DePauw, the University’s oldest and preeminent merit academic award. Raiden is interested in US foreign policy in the MENA region, counterterrorism, intelligence, and great power competition. He hopes to pursue a career in international security or foreign affairs. Raiden looks forward to working alongside NESA faculty members while learning more about US security partnerships in the NESA region.
Malèna Lombardo is an undergraduate at the University of Vermont pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in public policy. Her academic interests include international humanitarian crises, especially in the Middle East, and diplomacy. During the internship, Malèna hopes to deepen her understanding of U.S. foreign policy and improve her research analysis skills while making valuable contributions to the NESA team.
Hailey Story is an undergraduate at East Tennessee State University pursuing a degree in Political Science with minors in Global Citizenship and International Relations. Her academic interests include Eastern Europe, diplomacy, and international development. Hailey has studied abroad in Greece and completed internships with the US State Department and the House of Representatives. She is eager to contribute to NESA’s faculty research initiatives and support the organization’s conferences and seminars, further developing her skills in International Security.
Jasmine Anderson is an undergraduate at the University of South Florida where she is pursuing a degree in Criminology. Her interests focus on international affairs, security, and intelligence. Jasmine is eager to engage with a diverse group of professionals, including military officers, academics and diplomats. She looks forward to collaborating with NESA faculty and alumni to explore the topic of national defense, particularly in relation to U.S. military strategy and operations in the Middle East.
Frances Altes is a sophomore at the University of Rochester pursuing degrees in Russian and International Relations. She takes special interest in the affairs of post-Soviet nations and conflicts in the Middle East. Frances has spent a year living abroad in the Middle East, where observing both policy failures and successes inspired her to contribute to a more peaceful future. Frances is excited to assist with NESA’s research and program operations, during which she hopes to deepen her understanding of U.S. foreign policy and national security issues.
Reflections from Past Interns
“My internship with NESA has been the most fruitful experience in my academic and professional career yet. The opportunity to work alongside Faculty members on research projects I am passionate about deepened my knowledge of the region while opening my eyes to a new side of international relations. NESA truly shaped the trajectory of my career and the meaningful connections I made still support me long after the conclusion of my internship.”
-Sophie Rossi, James Madison University, Spring 2023 Intern
“I worked on intriguing research projects and assisted thought-provoking and engaging seminars on a wide variety of NESA region topics. Considering the genuine conversations I had with NESA faculty, staff, and outside experts, the entire experience was pivotal in deciding the next steps in my academic and professional career and helped me develop the necessary skills and knowledge to take them.”
-Lien Knaepen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, Spring 2022 Intern
“The unique and stimulating environment at NESA has become the foundation of my academic and career trajectory. NESA gave me invaluable experiences deepening my knowledge of the Middle East and Asia, as well as opening my eyes to the importance of sub-regional distinctions in international security. My enduring and vibrant relationships with the NESA Senior Leadership, Faculty and Staff continue to shape my global perspective and benefit me professionally.”
-Patrick Centeno, Ramapo College, Summer 2021 Intern
“I had the unique opportunity to assist NESA’s expert faculty research on topics that most interest me and engage with practitioners and government officials directly from the NESA region. Although my internship was virtual, it was highly dynamic and interactive. I gained skills and connections that have already been crucial for beginning my career in foreign policy.”
-Ishmael Maxwell, Carleton College, Summer 2020 Intern
“Through NESA, I was able to develop professional skills alongside experts from across the globe. The flexibility NESA offers in developing my own research with guidance from Faculty allowed me to develop skills crucial for my career path. NESA is filled with opportunities that prepare students for the workforce.”
-Arwa Mokdad, University of Washington, Fall 2019 Intern
“NESA did not only give me the opportunity to see, listen and learn from experts in their fields, it also gave me the opportunity to interact with military officials from the NESA region. NESA also helped me to pursue my future goals and even put me in contact with people in the field from my home country, Belgium.”
-Kirsten Devlieger, Free University of Brussels, Fall 2018 Intern
“The NESA Center offered opportunities to which I’d never imagined I’d have access as a student. Not only was I able to take notes and learn from participant programs, but I engaged with participants and even observe high level policy meetings. Very few internships could have offered me the same opportunities as the NESA Center.”
-Chris Atmajian, California State University Northridge, Spring 2018 Intern
“What was different than other internships was being able to develop our own research interests and getting to interact with participants from the region. That was an incredible experience. As someone who also interned on the Hill, the biggest difference was that NESA helped me professionally develop and expand my network in an area in which I’m interested in working.”
-Matt Mueller, James Madison University, Summer 2017 Intern
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP:
The NESA Center’s internship program is an opportunity for highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students to gain professional skills and subject matter development on foreign policy and national security issues associated with the Near East and South Asia region.
NESA interns are expected to employ competent research, writing, and communications skills in support of NESA faculty research and programs. NESA interns receive access to the National Defense University library and research resources to support research work. NESA interns participate in conferences, workshops, and other programs at the National Defense University featuring academics, subject matter experts, military officers, and diplomats. NESA interns also receive development opportunities throughout the Washington, D.C. area, accompanying faculty and participants on site visits to places like Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and the State Department.
Interns are encouraged to pursue publication opportunities under the guidance of, or in partnership with, NESA Faculty.
The NESA Center internship is unpaid, and the NESA Center does not provide or assist interns in finding housing accommodations. If you are without housing accommodation, or your home institution or Washington DC area supporting institution does not provide housing accommodation, then interested applicants are encouraged to search listings online or reach out to a DC based intern hosting organization.
NESA does not sponsor travel or work visas for non-US Citizens. Hosting organizations such as The Washington Center, are able to facilitate this, and do so on a regular basis for NESA interns. We invite non-US applicants to apply through such organizations if they are not already in the United States.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
Assist NESA Center faculty and staff with long- and short-term research projects related to the NESA region.
NESA programs support: note-taking, course material preparation and logistical support.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
A demonstrated interest in International Affairs, Defense, Security Studies, and the NESA Region.
Detail oriented, highly organized, and able to work independently or in teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Foreign Language skills a plus: particularly Arabic, French, Russian, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, Dari.
Interested applicants must be enrolled in a degree-granting university program (undergraduate or graduate).